Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif has warned newly appointed T20I vice-captain Tilak Varma ahead of the two-match series against Ireland. The commentator said that being a vice-captain does not guarantee a place in the playing XI and added that Varma must keep performing consistently to retain his spot.
Team India, led by Shreyas Iyer, will lock horns with Ireland, led by Lorcan Tucker, in the upcoming series at the Civil Service Cricket Club in Belfast. The opening match will be played on Friday, June 26. Notably, the series is the start of a new leadership phase, with Iyer as captain and Tilak as vice-captain.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Mohammad Kaif said that the current Indian team management gives more importance to form. He reminded Tilak Varma that being vice-captain does not guarantee a place in the playing XI if performances decline.
"Tilak Varma is the vice-captain, yes. But vice-captains have been dropped before as well. Being vice-captain doesn't mean Tilak Varma's place in the team is guaranteed. If Tilak starts thinking, 'I'm the vice-captain, my spot is secure,' that's simply not how this Indian team works."
Mohammad Kaif also stated the selectors have already moved on from former T20I vice-captain Axar Patel. He added that Tilak must continue performing consistently if he wants to keep his place in the Indian team.
"If he wants to keep playing, he'll have to maintain his form. Even a slight dip in form could see him dropped. Axar Patel was the vice-captain before. You'd remember that. He's no longer the vice-captain. The team has now moved on to Tilak."
Nobody's Place Is Guaranteed, Not Even the Captain's - Mohammad Kaif on Team India's Selection Policy
Mohammad Kaif also said that every player in the current Indian team must earn their place through consistent performances. He added that neither the captain nor the vice-captain is assured of a spot, as the coaches and selectors expect players to prove themselves in every match.
"So in this Indian team, nobody's place is guaranteed. Not even the captain's. There's no permanent vice-captain either. Everyone has to earn their place. Everyone has to perform in every single match. This is a phase in Indian cricket that we've never seen before. That's the mindset of the coaches and selectors now. Your place in the team is on the line every single match. That's why Tilak Varma may start with this team, but his place in the XI is by no means guaranteed going forward."
Tilak Varma Eyes Strong Start After Impressive Run Across Formats
Tilak Varma led India A to the one-day tri-series title against Sri Lanka A and Afghanistan A. He finished as the tournament's highest run-scorer with 275 runs in five matches at an average of 55.
Some fans questioned his strike rate after he scored 67 off 90 balls in the tri-series final. R Ashwin backed Tilak, saying the young batter continues to deliver despite criticism over his strike rate
Tilak has built an impressive record in T20 cricket. The left-handed batter has scored 1,390 runs in 49 T20Is at an average of 44.83 and a strike rate of 145.54, including two centuries and six half-centuries.
The middle-order batter also played a key role in India's 2026 T20 World Cup triumph. He scored 317 runs in nine innings at a remarkable strike rate of 193.29, including three half-centuries.
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